Outdoor work: How to protect yourself from the heat

Marcia Heroux Pounds

With temperatures reaching 100 degrees or higher in many parts of the nation -- and heat always a concern in South Florida, safety experts are warning outdoor workers to watch for symptoms of heat illness.

Heat exhaustion killed more than 30 workers last year, according to OSHA.

To spread the message about working safely in the heat, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis visited a Florida Power & Light plant in Dania on Wednesday. The electric utility uses a "buddy system," asking co-workers to watch each other for heat exhaustion.

When one's body is unable to cool itself with sweating, heat stress, exhaustion or the more heat stroke can occur. Excessive exposure to the direct sun or heat, limited air movement, physical exertion, poor physical condition, and some medicines can lead to heat illness, according to a press release from The American Society of Safety Engineers.

Symptoms of heat stress include: headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, weakness and moist skin, mood changes such as irritability or confusion, upset stomach and vomiting. More severe is heat stroke. Symptoms include dry, hot skin with no sweating, mental confusion or losing consciousness, and seizures or convulsions.

Tips to prevent injuries from include:

Use cooling pads that can be inserted into hardhats or around the neck to keep the head and neck cool. Vented hardhats or neckbands soaked in cold water to minimize prolonged heat exposure and prevent the body from overheating.